Certificate of Ministry Program

Summary
This 12-week course is part of the Truett Seminary Certificate Program, and is suitable for laypeople, church leaders, and ministers of all types, including church pastors.

This course considers the doctrines and dogmas of the church that are built on the foundation of scripture. It is not a mere dry study of facts and concepts, but a vibrant consideration of faith, and the practical extensions of how beliefs affect the Christian life.

In addition, two weeks will be spent in an overview of Baptist identity. Much of this overview is in keeping with broad evangelical beliefs, which it a useful study regardless of a Certificate Student’s denominational background. 

Prerequisites
This course is normally taken as the fifth of the Certificate Program’s six core courses. 

Without special permission, participants must first take CMP01 - Biblical Interpretation.

It is also recommended that participants also first take both of the following:

    CMP02 - Survey of the Old Testament
    CMP03 - Survey of the New Testament

Textbooks Used
For this course students will require copies of the following books:

    Jones, Beth Felker. Practicing Christian Doctrine: An Introduction to Thinking and Living Theologically. Baker Academic, 2014.
    Tuck, William Powell. Our Baptist Tradition. Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Inc., 2005. 

Difficulty
Within the Certificate Program, this course is moderately difficult.

 
About the Certificate of Ministry Program 
The Certificate of Ministry Program (CMP) is meant to be a self-paced, distance learning program. Course work involves reading and using a variety of online and/or video resources, and then there are accessible assignments based on those materials. As a non-accredited program, academic grades and credit are not received, but quality feedback is provided for all assignments to foster effective learning and to offer encouraging motivation. Students are encouraged to participate in the online community for each course, and to pursue developing their own personal community of learning with the input of a mentor or peers.
 
Goals and Benefits
This program is here to shepherd you through a journey of growth in understanding and knowledge and you will have access to the a variety of resources and wisdom through the seminary community. Our goal is to help ministers and lay people of all kinds pursue knowledge, personal faith, and ministry effectiveness. In addition students become a part of the Truett Seminary community and the legacy of Truett and Baylor University.

We want our students to be equipped and confident in faith, understanding, and ministry effectiveness.